Ralph Lauren quietly shuttered its two-year-old 20,000-square-foot store last week. Other brands are expected to close boutiques in a city that has lost its luster for cash-rich mainland Chinese tourists.

Romeo Gigli Said in Creative Turmoil

Is there further unrest at Romeo Gigli? According to sources, the brand has sacked its in-house design team.

ROMEO RUMBLINGS: Is there further unrest at Romeo Gigli? According to sources, the brand has sacked its in-house design team and outsourced creative duties to an external agency, following disappointing sales. A spokesperson for Mood Srl, which has operated Romeo Gigli since 2004, denied the rumor, saying creative director Gentucca Bini and her team remained at the atelier. “The only thing that has changed is there will be no runway show during Milan fashion week. Instead, there will be a small presentation just for buyers,” the spokesperson said. However, according to sources, Mood chief executive officer Pierluigi Mancinelli has fired the unit and subcontracted creative output to a third party. “There’s no longer an in-house design team,” a person familiar with the situation said. “[Mood] were not happy with Gentucca’s designs, which weren’t selling. They want something more commercial like D&G.” Bini signed a three-year contract with Romeo Gigli in 2006. She could not be reached for comment.

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@rebeccaminkoff is bringing self-checkout to high fashion: The brand has partnered with @queuehop to bring its customers self-checkout options, beginning this holiday season at its SoHo store. (📷: @aurorarosephoto)

It was a big night for Demna Gvasalia at the Fashion Awards 2016 in London: The designer took home the award for international ready-to-wear designer for his work at @balenciaga, while his brand @vetements_official scooped international urban luxury brand. (📷: @giovanni_giannoni_photo)